Gael Monfils has described the backlash Elina Svitolina has received since she announced their divorce as “venomous” and “upsetting”.

In his first public comments since Svitolina revealed the “difficult” decision to end their marriage after five years, Monfils said there had been a “lack of grace and kindness” shown towards the Ukrainian star.

Svitolina, the world No 6 and a four-time grand slam semi-finalist, announced the split on Monday and opened up on the mental toll of Russia’s ongoing war against her country.

Svitolina then issued a clarification on Tuesday to confirm that their divorce had led Monfils to abruptly end his playing career and enter retirement earlier the planned.

The Frenchman, 40, had planned to retire at November’s Paris Masters but appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s inactive list earlier this month without an explanation.

“Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision. She did so in the best way she knew how,” Monfils posted on Friday.

“Many decided that her explanation wasn’t perfect enough, and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best, and venomous at worst.

“Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family. Though my heart hurts, I am forever grateful to her for her support and love over the years.

“While I am deeply grateful that the public feels so invested in my happiness, I have found the lack of grace and kindness shown towards Elina upsetting.

“While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is so much more that happens in a relationship behind the curtain that cannot be explained in a post.

“Elina has her battles to fight, just as I have mine. I respect her choices and reasons, and we will continue to support and care deeply about each other, especially as two people who share a child.”

Monfils and Svitolina, who married in 2021, also shared a child together, their four-year-old daughter Skai.

Monfils will take part in the exhibition to mark Stan Wawrinka’s retirement in Geneva in December, alongside Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Svitolina has qualified for next month’s WTA Finals in Indian Wells and pulled out of this week’s Ningbo Open in China.